Archive for June, 2007

The President of the United Mexican States, H.E. Mr. Felipe Calderon Hinojosa has been invited by Prime Minister of Belize, Right Honorable Said Musa, and he is paying a visit to Belize on June 29-30, 2007.

The official visit of Mexican President coincides with the IX Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Tuxtla Mechanism meeting in San Pedro, on the largest island in Belize, Ambergris Caye.

On June 30, President Calderon will pay a courtesy call on the Governor General, H.E. Sir Colville Young and meet with Prime Minister Musa and other Senior Government Officials in order to discuss such issues as bilateral trade, border security, cooperation between both countries, the Belize-Guatemala relations, military assistance and education. Also, Mexican President is planning to meet with members of the Business Community and a joint Belize-Mexico press conference.

On June 26-28, 2007, BELTRAIDE with Caribbean Exports will deliver a 3-day training seminar in Belmopan entitled â€œPublic Policy Advocacy and Lobbyingâ€.

The seminar is funded by the European Union.

The seminar aims at building the organizational capacity of knowledge, skill and confidence that are necessary to engage in business and public policy advocacy in an effective and efficient way.

The following topics are to be discussed at the seminar:
– understanding key concepts;
– tools for the trade;
– developing a public policy research plan;
– workshop on public policy advocacy;
– developing a strategy for public policy;
– ethical considerations.

So, BELTRAIDE is actively participating in developing the business community and productive sectors functioning as an investment and export promotion agency.

Recently, the USA has issued reports regarding Belize. Belize’s government officials were satisfied as Belize was being praised for its efforts to fight human trafficking.

On June 12, 2007, the US Secretary of State Condolezza Rica announced the release of the 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report.

In accordance with a press release published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belize has been upgraded by the State Department â€“ it has been moved from the tier two watch list to a substantive tier two. This kind of ranking means that the government is making significant efforts aimed to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking as regards prosecution, protection and prevention.

In 2003, Belize received a bad review and was considered to be a major violator. The Government of Belize responded to this news with legislative and executive activities. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Committee was created as one of official reactions to raise awareness about human trafficking, victim protection and the prosecution of traffickers. In February 2007, 2 police officers were arrested because they were identified by illegal immigrants as the ones to smuggle them into Belize.

Prime Ministers of the Caribbean Community and Presidents of Central America have recently attended a Summit meeting of Heads of State and Government of CARICOM and SICA in Belize.

This was the 2nd CARICOM-SICA Summit of Heads of States for both CARICOM and Central America concluded in Belize City on May 12, 2007.

At the summit, such pressing issues as climate change, energy policies and natural disaster mitigation were discussed by the leaders. The participants stressed the importance of the values and principles of democracy, respect for human rights, liberty, peace, sustainable development, co-operation, dialogue, friendly relationship and the solution of controversies.

The one-day summit was chaired by Prime Minister Said Musa. According to Musa, Belize’s presidency has the main objective to function as a diplomatic bridge between Central America and the Caribbean Communities.

The 3rd CARICOM-SICA Summit was agreed to take place in Nicaragua on May 22-23, 2009.